Mike Hayes leaves Flint Mountain and reunites with former team-mate Chris Herbert at 1874 Northwich

One of North Wales football’s finest forwards of recent years has joined the English pyramid system.

Mike Hayes has left Flint Mountain of the Cymru North and signed for Midland League Premier Division club 1874 Northwich.

The 37-year-old Hayes will be reunited with 1874 boss Chris Herbert, a former player at Connah’s Quay Nomads, Airbus and Welshpool, with vast managerial experience at Conwy Borough, Cefn Druids, Flint Town United and Runcorn Town, as well being part of the backroom staff at Chester.

A UEFA A qualified coach, Herbert is also a former first team scout for League Two side Salford City and recently worked for Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.

1874 Northwich play in Level 9 of the English system, five steps below the Football League.

Hayes has made 351 Cymru Premier appearances in a long and distinguished career and is a member of Wales’ national league’s elite 100 goals club, with 104 on his record.

Chester-born Hayes has represented in the top flight Bala Town, Caernarfon Town, Airbus UK Broughton and Connah’s Quay Nomads, where he first played Welsh Premier football in 2009-10.

He wore Bala colours six times in European competition and bagged 47 goals in 184 matches across all competitions for the Lakesiders.

Hayes signed for then tier 3 Flint Mountain in 2023-24, finishing second-highest scorer in the Ardal North West League with 23 goals as Aden Shannon’s side were crowned champions.

Last season he netted 13 times in 26 Cymru North outings for Mountain, making his total stats for the club 46 goals in 74 appearances.

Known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and intelligent movement off the ball, Hayes is expected to add leadership and depth to 1874 Northwich’s front line.

1874 boss Herbert expressed his excitement to the club website about the signing, highlighting Hayes’ professionalism and the positive influence he is expected to have both on and off the pitch:

“Mike will add pace to our front line. He is very experienced and has won several promotions, as well as playing in Europe and has always scored a lot of goals. He has a high work rate, makes great runs from behind and will be a threat to opposition defences. His goalscoring record speaks for itself and I’m sure he will be a big hit with the fans.”

Hayes commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to sign for 1874 Northwich.

“I have spent the last 16 seasons playing in Wales achieving Welsh Cup champions, league cup success, league championships and also numerous appearances in the Europa League, but it’s so exciting to be back playing in England.

“I was once Herbie’s strike partner at Connah’s Quay so he knows how I play and I know he will get the best out of me and have the team playing in a way that benefits my attributes and have me scoring goals.”

“I’m ready to come in and hit the ground running.”